Massaging device



Nov. 21, 1933. J. v. HUNT MASSAGING DEVICE Filed Oct. 28, .1932

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INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 221, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MASSAGING DEVICE James Vernon Hunt, Washington, D. C.

Application October 28,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to massaging devices, and its general object is to provide a vibrating device of that character which is primarily designed for use in reducing the flesh and weight of a person in an easy and expeditious manner and with minimum effort and discomfort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a massaging device for reducing purposes, that can be applied by hand to any part of the body desired and produces vibrating, oscillating, pounding and rolling actions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a massaging device which is capable of adjustment to vary the strength and weight of its action, particularly of the pounding action thereof, as some individuals can stand a greater and stronger action than others, and the greater the action on some individuals, the greater Will be the benefits derived from the treatment produced by my device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a massaging device of the character set forth, that is reasonably simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use, and is eX- tremely efficient in operation and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accomyio panying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Figure l is a view of my device with parts in section and in elevation. k

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken approximately on line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure l is a perspective view of one of the weights used with my device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 1 indicates a casing which as shown is substantially cylindrical in shape and is provided with an open bottom and a closed top, the latter being indicated by the reference numeral 2 and has secured thereto and rising therefrom a knob 3 that acts in the capacity as a handle for the device.

I also employ a handle e which is of the hand gripping type, and secured to the handle 4 is a ring member 5 which is formed from a pair of sections held together through the instrumen- 1932. Serial No. 640,075

(Cl. 12S-55) tality of screw bolts 6. The ring member surrounds the casing 1 and has formed therewith at intervals in its circumference openings within which are journaled rollers 7 that extend inwardly from the inner surface of the ring member and are mounted for movement in elongated recesses 8 longitudinally disposed in the side of the casing as clearly shown in Figure 3. By that construction, it will be apparent that the handle 4 is connected to the casing l, but the latter is mounted for movement with respect to the handle for a purpose which will be presently apparent.

Fixed within the casing by suitable means such as screw bolts 9 that extend from the top and sides thereof is an electric motor 10 which is supplied with current from a suitable source, by conductors 11 that have electrical connection with brushes 12 arranged in suitable brush housings 13 disposed upon diametrically opposite sides of the casing and mounted in slots arranged therein. The brush housings 13 are fixed to the ring member 5 through the medium of the screw bolts 6 as best shown in Figure 3 and the brushes 12 have wiping engagement with contact strips 14 that are secured to and insulated from the sides of the motor as shown, but of course the contact strips are electrically connected to the motor for operating the same. Y

The armature shaft of the motor extends a considerablek distance therefrom and is mounted in a bearing bracket 15 which is secured to and rises from the fiat enlarged upper portion of a substantially semi-spherical holder 16 for a ball 17 that is formed from some suitable resilient material such as rubber. The iiat upper portion is provided with an upstanding annular ange that is slidably mounted through the open bottom of the casing and rising from the fiat upper portion are bearing blocks 18 arranged in pairs, and journaled in each of the pairs of bearing blocks 18 are crank shafts 19, the latter having pivotally secured to the crank portions thereof rods 20 which have their upper ends journaled to studs 21 that extend from diametrically opposite sides of the motor as clearly shown in Figure 1.

Secured to the armature shaft of the motor is a bevel gear 22 that is mounted for slidable movement thereon but is keyed thereto, and meshing with the bevel gear 22 are bevel gears 23 that are secured to the inner ends of the crank shafts 19, whereupon rotation of the crank shafts by the motor through the instrumentality of the bevel gears will not only vibrate the ball 17, but Will impart an oscillatory movement thereto, it being understood that this action is through the ball holder as will be noted upon inspection of Figure 1.

Arranged at the lower end oi the holder 16 as Well as at its juncture With the nat upper portion thereof are recesses for the purpose of receiving ball bearings 24 that are engageable with the ball l' so as to allow the same to revolve as Will be apparent.

Secured to the lower edge of the casing l is an annular 'Flange 25 that is disposed at right angles with respect to the side of the casing and has arranged therein at intervals, openings. The flange 25 is adapted to receive a ring weight that has secured thereto studs 25 which are adapted to be received in the openings of the nange for removably securing the Weights thereto, and any number of Weights which are indicated by the reference numeral 27 may be employed., and disposed in superimposed relation with respect to each other as best shovvn in 1Figure l, there being recesses arranged in the weights to receive the studs 25 thereof.

From the above description and disclosure of the drawing, it will be obvious that I have provided a massaging device primarily designed .for reducing purpose that is capable of producing a vibrating, oscillating, pounding and rolling action and when in use, the operator grips the handle 4 and guides the device thereby as Well as by the knob 3. When the ball is rolled over the parts of a person being treated, it is oscillated and reciprocated and produces a pounding action With a view of breaking up the iat tissues and increasing the circulation of blood about the treated portions. The ball can be used Without the motor in operation and in that event it will be apparent that it is merely rolled or reciprocated back and forth over the part treated.

It is thought `from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes i'all within the scope of the appended claims.

What l claim is:-

l. A massaging device comprising a casing having an open bottom and a closed top, a ring member surrounding said casing and mounted for slidable movement thereon, a handle for said casing and secured to the ring member, a substantially semi-spherical holder having connection with said casing and movable through the bottom, a spherical member arranged in said holder for rotation therein, and means disposed in said casing for vibrating said spherical member through the instrumentality of its holder.

2. A massaging device comprising a casing having an open bottom and a closed top, a knob secured to the top, a sectional ring member surrounding the casing and mounted for movement thereon, a handle secured to the ring member, a semi-spherical holder, means formed with the upper end of the holder and mounted for movement through the bottom of the casing, a spherical body engaging member arranged in said holder and mounted for rotation, and means in said casing and having connection with the holder for vibrating the body engaging member in a manner to set up an oscillatory pounding action.

3. A massaging device comprising a casing, a sectional ring member surrounding said casing, rollers carried by the ring member and engageable with the casing to allov,T movement of the casing Within the ring member, a handle secured to the ring member, a holder, means formed with the holder and mounted for slidable movement Within the casing, a spherical body engaging member mounted for rotation in the holder, means Within the casing to reciprocate the body engaging member through the medium of the holder to set up an oscillatory pounding action,

and adjustable Weight means for said device.

4. A massaging device comprising a casing of cylindrical formation and having a closed top and open bottom, a ring member surrounding the casing with the latter mounted for slidable movement therein, a handle secured to the ring member, a holder, means formed With the holder and mounted for slidable movement through the open bottom of the casing, bearing blocks carried by said means, crank shafts mounted in the bearing blocks, a motor arranged in the casing, means for rotating the crank shafts from the motor, rods journaled to the motor and crank shafts respectively, body engaging means mounted or rotation in said holder and adjustable Weight means for said device and carried by said casing.

JAMESk VERNON HUNT.

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